GPM, a partnership between NASA and JAXA, will set a new standard for precipitation measurements from space, providing the next-generation observations of rain and snow worldwide. After launch and the initial check out phase, NASA will take operational control of the satellite, will collect, archive, and distribute the data from the GPM instruments. The GPM data will be freely and openly available through the NASA Precipitation Processing System with both near real-time and climate-quality precipitation products.

GPM Core Observatory Instruments

The Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory spacecraft lifted off at 3:37 a.m. JST on Feb. 28, 2014

• GPM Microwave Imager (GMI)• Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR)The GMI captures precipitation intensities and horizontal patterns, while the DPR provides insights into the three dimensional structure and particle size distribution within the atmospheric column. The GMI was built by Ball Aerospace under contract with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The DPR was built by the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).

Right: The GPM Core spacecraft was lifted into orbit by a

Japanese H-IIA rocket launching

from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

at 3:37am JST.

The GPM Core Observatory serves an anchor to unify and improve the precipitation estimates from a constellation of domestic and international satellite partners. These observations of rain and snow worldwide every three hours provides data for scientific research and societal benefit.

GPM Constellation Concept

• New reference standards for precipitation measurements from space

• Improved knowledge of water cycle variability and freshwater availability

• Improved numerical weather prediction skills• Improved climate prediction capabilities• Improved predictions for floods, landslides,

and freshwater resources

Mission Objectives

www.nasa.gov/gpm

Left: GPM’s Constellation concept with the GPM Core Observatory in the upper right.

GPM detection of falling rain-on-snow

The GPM DPR instrument can directly detect falling precipitation and phase (rain or snow).

*Note that GPM GMI and constellation radiometers must use ancillary data (forecast or reanalysis fields) to determine phase

GPM data are now available to public (registration required) at pps.gsfc.nasa.govGPM browse data are being made available through NASA Worldview Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS)

• Zoomable, browseable interface of daily ascending and descending composites

• Can overlay multiple fields with variable transparency• Current data fields include:

• 3-channel composite Tb• GPROF rain and snow (DPR data will follow)

• Overlay ground tracks and overpass times• Test url: http://1.usa.gov/1zKoMVG• Production url:

https://earthdata.nasa.gov/labs/worldview/• Feedback to Joe Munchak (s.j.munchak@nasa.gov)

NSMSHS NS

MSHS

Ku: 10 18 36 89 166Ka: 10 18 36 89 166Solid = v-pol, dash=H-pol

V-polH-pol

Sigma_Zero Mean Sigma_Zero Variability Emissivity Sigma_Zero-Emissivity Correlation

GPM Measurements of Surface Emissivity and Backscatter